by GT Staff |
Although the newest slot machines generated the most buzz on the G2E floor, there were dozens of new table games on display for casino operators who haven’t yet abandoned "live" gaming.
Las Vegas-based Gaming Entertainment Inc., which is well-known for its 3-Way-Action, Mini Pai Gow, Duki 4 Poker and Champion Poker Texas Hold’em games, unveiled a fascinating new game, LO BO Reverse Blackjack, which featured an unusual twist to the traditional game of blackjack.
The game is played with standard decks, except that all the 10 value cards are removed. As the name suggests, the object is the reverse of blackjack – the object of LO BO is to get a lower total card count than the dealer, without going over a total of 12.
Thus, the "bust" hand is 13 or higher. The best hand is ace-ace since each ace has a value of one, for a total hand value of two.
If the player’s first two cards are aces, he will automatically be paid 2-to-1.
Just like in regular blackjack, players make an initial bet and are dealt two cards (face up). The dealer gets two cards, but one is exposed. Players may hit, stand, double or split any pair other than aces.
After all players have played out their hands, the dealer reveals his hole card and proceeds. He must stand on 5 or lower, otherwise he’ll draw a third cards, and use the lowest two cards for his hand. If there’s a tie, the bet is a push.
Shuffle Master was the largest table game maker at G2E and it unveiled a variety of new products, including a new table game, Dealer Bluff.
In Dealer Bluff, the shuffler reads the dealer’s hand, and then makes a bet using artificial intelligence. Players may either fold, call the dealer’s bet or raise, keeping in mind the bet could be based on a bluff.
Shuffle Master also unveiled new content and features for its other electronic table game platforms, including one new game on Table Master, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, plus footage of a live dealer on its full-electronic roulette games.
DEQ Systems Corp. was a newcomer to G2E, but they’re no stranger to gaming on a global basis – their products are in use at more than 300 facilities worldwide.
At the heart of DEQ’s product line is the G3 table system equipped with its Real Link system. And the system has slowly begun to catch on with casinos. The Monte Carlo in Las Vegas has been operating this enhanced version of table game bonusing for more than a year on their Caribbean Stud tables, and has recently added the concept to Shuffle Master’s games, Three Card Poker, Crazy Four and Texas Hold’em Bonus.
Monte Carlo was the first Strip casino to adopt this concept, and it’s paid off with table drop and profits well above expectations. The Monte Carlo has a full pit of DEQ bonusing systems spread among its aforementioned table games.
Treasure Island was the second Strip resort to adopt the DEQ system, and it took a step further forward by linking all of their pai gow games. The MGM Grand will soon install the DEQ system on its poker derivative games as well.
Other DEQ Systems’ products displayed included seven new table games – Progressive EZ Pai Gow, Lucky Lucky Progressive Blackjack, Two Fisted Poker Progressive, Bunko Bucks Dice Game, Cash Poker, Progressive Flop Poker and Progressive Two Card Bonus Challenge Poker.
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